PREMIUM UNLOCKED: Cramping My Style
Summary
In this episode, Alex Goldman interviews Kate Downey, creator of the podcast Cramped, about her journey diagnosing severe period pain. Kate shares her experience with undiagnosed endometriosis and the medical system’s failure to address women’s pain until it impacts fertility. The discussion highlights the lack of research into female biology, the limitations of current treatments, and emerging non-invasive diagnostic tools like Rose Labs.
Topics discussed
Promo: The Selectx Podcast
Sponsor: Jack Archer Jet Setter Tech Pants
Sponsor: Progressive Insurance
Intro: Unlocking a premium interview
Guest intro: Kate Downey and her 'death cramps'
The mystery of undiagnosed women's pain
Kate's history: From Maine to ER visits
Launching the podcast 'Cramped'
Explaining endometriosis and inflammation
The diagnostic catch-22 and costs
Fertility issues and the 'poisonous water balloon'
Sponsor: Gusto Payroll Software
Sponsor: Momentous Creatine
Sponsor: Wise Money Transfers
Post-surgery recovery and pain-free periods
Frustration with medical research priorities
The male-centric bias in medical science
Hormonal cycles vs. 24-hour work schedules
Birth control as a symptom mask
Rose Labs: Non-surgical diagnosis via period blood
Next General Jane: Tracking health via menstrual blood
The importance of breaking stigma and talking
Outro: Credits and cat fun fact
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